Battle of Wavre

The Prussian rearguard at Wavre is attacked by a much larger French force. Can it resist for long enough for Blücher to help Wellington defeat Napoleon at Waterloo?



The thick forests help funnel the French advances directly into Limale (second town from the left) and into Wavre (just off to the right of the photo).



French columns advance on the bridges at Wavre.



A second French column marches towards Bierge Mill, taking this small village will help to control the Wavre crossings.



The Prussian centre controls the crossing at Limale, but is able to reinforce either wing easily.



The French engage the Prussian garrison at Limale.



French cross into Wavre, driving the garrison units back.



French artillery overlook Limelette from the forests.



The Prussians counterattack at Wavre.



The French thrown back from Bierge Mill with severe losses, but in the distance the mass French crossing at Wavre can be seen.



The Prussian advance into Bierge Mill is outflanked.



The French foothold in Wavre is secured.



The French cross at Limale once more, this time pushing the Prussians well back.



The Prussians retake control of Limale.



The French heavy battery moves into Wavre.



French hussars catch Prussians in Wavre in the flank, decimate them and drive them back onto the ridge.



The French advance beyond Bierge Mill.



Stealing a march on the Prussians the French take Limale.



Prussians make a last defence of Wavre. A second infantry brigade is destroyed, and the general commanding is forced to take command of the artillery on the heights overlooking Wavre.



Long range fire from the French battery across the river gives French lancers the opportunity to destroy the Prussian battery at Limale.



More French lancers drive the screening Prussian cavalry away from Limale.



Fierce cavalry battle outside Limelette, despite several charges, the outnumbered French hussars hold on until infantry can relieve them and garrison the town.



The French hold onto Limelette.



Last Prussian charge against French at Wavre bloodies the French but does not change the day's result.



Several French units were on their last legs, so despite the French winning well by 5-4 (the French break-point was 7) so a close battle.
Next, maybe Ligny?

Evening at Waterloo

It's been quite a while since I've posted, but then it's been quiet on the gaming front.

When last we left the Battle of Waterloo (see first part here) things had reached the moment of truth. The French right was under huge pressure from the Prussians. A mass infantry assault in the centre had been thrown back. Could Napoleon save his dreams of empire?



Napoleon finally orders the Guard forward, their intervention is needed urgently before a British counterattack drives his depleted brigades from the field.



The Old Guard march forward.



D'Erlon manages to withdraw in good order from the Prussian onslaught, with some (almost miraculous) elan and to the considerable consternation of the opposing generals.



Reille takes Hougomont, with a concerted attack on British positions there and in the surrounding area. Here, maybe the French may sweep the English from the field?



The French right flank looks terribly weak!



French countercharge English cavalry near La Haye Sainte. They are thrown back.



French guns on right taken despite a gallant defence.



In the end the intervention of the Guard was too little, and too late. The pressure of the Prussians and English on the French right was far too much.

Still the final score was 15-14 to the English/Prussian allied army (The French needed to score 15 to win!)

Sometime in June I'm planning to drop over again to fight the Battle of Wavre. Perhaps I'll have better luck then

Battle of Waterloo

I called over to a friend's place last Friday, to play Waterloo using Vive L'Empereur. He has a great setup there, with Kallistra hexes and a large 15mm collection.


10am to 12 noon

Napoleon surveys the battlefield from la Belle Alliance



The French Grand Battery aims towards le Haye Sainte



The attack on Hougomont begins



French Hussars make a gallant attempt on the guns north of Hougomont



But are driven back with dreadful losses, and later are driven from the field by well-aimed English musketry



The French under Reille advance through Cornfield just east of Hougomont



French infantry advance in the centre is supported by artillery



and also supported by the threatening movement of Cursaissiers



The first Prussians arrive just south of Frichemont



French infantry advance into the guns holding the centre of the English lines



Massed English cavalry advance behind Papelotte



Lobau leads the attack on le Haye Sainte



More Prussian infantry arrive



along with Prussian cavalry who join their English allies



French Lancers fall on the Prussians



D'Erlon leads the attack to drive back the Prussians



D'Erlon forms square against the Prussian cavalry



12 noon to 2pm

Even with the Grand Battery and cavalry in support, D'Erlon looks isolated



and under pressure



The attack on Hougomont breaks down



as Reille is left trying to rally broken units



French battery has worked its way close to the English line in the centre



Reille leads heavy cavalry against the English in the cornfields



The attack on le Haye Sainte is blunted



Newly arrived Prussian artillery pours fire into flank of the French infantry



French heavy cavalry complete the charge on the guns despite fearful losses



Renewed effort against the English near Hougomont



Brave French infantry stand their ground



2pm to 4pm

French cavlary see off attackers



English advance to edge of ridge in centre



French take le Haye Sainte



French centre reinforced to expoit their success



Spirits are high in the French centre



Those valiant French infantrymen continue to hold out against Prussian attacks



D'Erlon begins to contract his lines against renewed Prussian pressure



Clinton outflanks French infantry outside Hougomont



English counterattack in centre




English infantry face French artillery fire



4pm to 6pm

D'Erlon holds out against Prussian lancers



Reille advances towards cornfield at Hougomont once more



French clear central ridge of English defenders



but charge by English cavalry reserve exacts heavy toll



French troops in le Haye Sainte under pressure



French take Hougomont



French forced to retreat from le Haye Sainte



French hussars successful charge against blown English heavy dragoons



The battle hangs in the balance. The French right is virtually cut off and must be overwhelmed soon, without any reasonable hope of relief. They have bled the Prussians dry though due to their aggressive defensive stance.

The French left has fought over Hougomont and has held its own, but is unlikely to be able to take more than a holding role.

The French centre has been thrown back, but the Guard remains, and a well-worked attack there, supported by the heavy batteries could be decisive...